Lajes das Flores

What a great place for our first landfall.  the people are friendly and the island is beautiful.  Clearing was easy.  I did not have to go anywhere and find anyone, they all came to me!  Within half an hour of tying up the National Guard showed up to fill out paperwork.  The next day the maritime police and customs showed up.  After that we could take our Q flag down until going to Horta.  Although small and unfinished the marina is quite nice.  Best of all, since it was unfinished and the power boxes did not have power, it was free!  Cruisers love a bargain.  Showers were also free, but cold water only.  Brrrr.
We had our celebratory dinner ashore at a little cafe close to the marina that has a plate of the day and that is what you  get.  That day was steak served with french fries and a rice side with peas in it.  it was a huge plate of food.  They did a plate of french fries and rice for Josie, our non-meat eater.

 We met Peter, a boat builder/rigger cruiser on another boat (Denize II) and he helped get us squared away with a temporary fix until we can get somewhere that has the part we need to reconnect the roller furler to the mast.  The first step was straightening the aluminum pieces that got bent in manhandling the roller furler to the deck.   The jib sail was removed first and the roller furler taken apart.  After the furler was back in one piece, Michael, Justin and Peter carried it back to the boat and raised it.  After raising the furler, Michael and Peter attached it to the deck.  Peter then went up the mast and lashed the top to the mast with dyneema.